Thursday, October 14, 2010

Sometimes it IS darkest before the dawn. But you might be surprised what can happen with a lot of faith, hard work, willingness to try new methods and equipment. What can happen when you use digital advancements to your advantage, to not give up. What happens when you pool all the best resources into one mission. You'll be amazed at how your efforts become infectious and how those efforts can turn others into believers too! And in the end, you'll be thankful for the result and wonder why you ever thought about giving up.

PS- This mindset could also work for freeing 33 brave men from a mine deep beneath the ground in Chile.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

On the way in today, I'm following (and quickly pass) a truck with "XXXXX Spetic Service" on the side. As I cruise on by I notice the pumps, hoses and valves connected to the large tank.It's not difficult to quickly jump to judgement. Wow! What a way to spend your day. How would you like to get up and face that every morning, day in and day out?A little more thought brought about some perspective though. Here was a guy that not only gets paid...but HAS CREATED A BUSINESS & CAREER out of doing something that a lot of people have to do every day...FOR FREE!What are you doing today?

Saturday, September 25, 2010

What an honor. From time to time, my job gives me great opportunities to meet some extremely interesting people. Last night, it was a privilage to be in the presence of 2 of country music's most prolific songwriters, Rivers Rutherford & Don Schlitz!Appearing at the annual Fortune-Williams Music Festival in Staunton, VA, Don & Rivers told some jokes, shared some stories and played their music for an appreciative crowd.During the intermission, I had a chance to chat briefly with both men, discussing a few mutual Nashville friends with Rivers and complimenting him on the first part of his performance.Don Schlitz was a bit different though. I became tongue-tied, and probably rambled a bit. I managed to tell him how enjoyable his music is while he signed a copy of his greatest hits.I never did get to tell him that over 30 years ago, "The Gambler", his first hit (and what a hit it is) helped me discover the power of a story song. That catchy tune stuck in the heads of so many people in the late 70's came to life for me when suddenly the line , "and somewhere in the darkness, the gambler, he broke even..." jumped out at me. The realization that the title character dies in the song gave me new ears to listen to it and so many other songs. Don Schlitz can take alot of credit for my love of great country story songs.The passion that writers like Don and Rivers put into their music was evident as Rivers closed the show with a story about his relationship with his grandfather...that story, of course is a song, and huge hit for Brad Paisley, "When I get Where I'm Going." Rivers choked up a bit talking about his grandfather...and the song was real for everyone there.I can only hope that someday when I get where I'm going, there will be a lot of "everyday poets" like Don Schlitz and Rivers Rutherford who can tell the stories of our lives in song.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

On a day to day basis, I ALWAYS have plenty to say...trust me...just ask anybody. So then, why do I struggle to get into a groove with this blog? There are certainly things I want to share:

First, I think Steven Slater should get a medal. The JetBlue flight attendant went out in a blaze of glory, and I don't blame him. I've been on a plane with 120 idiots all trying to get off in ten seconds, it's not fun.

Next, I really don't think all that oil in the Gulf mysteriously dissappeared. How do you go from "the end of dozens of species as we know them" to "you know...it doesn't look too bad." BS.

Finally, lately I've been hooked on "American Pickers" on the History Channel. These 2 guys cruise around the country looking for valuable antiques and collectibles in old barns, sheds, houses. They enter some of the scariest places I've seen. Love the show, but really would like to see the outtakes of them running for their lives when some old coot holed up in his little shack pulls a shotgun when they knock on the door. Now THAT'S entertainment!